The Southern Tier pheasant season opened up last Saturday, Oct. 21, and will run through Nov. 3, visit www.dec.ny.gov for boundaries. Photo by the late Joe Forma

There are ways for those who love the outdoors to save dollars and improve opportunities for themselves and their families. For example, most New York State Parks charge $6 to $10 per vehicle for same-day access. Historic sites charge $2 to $6 per vehicle. State boat launch sites have various fees based on location, from $8 to $20 based on my experience. The cost adds up if you visit a state park several times a year or launch a boat at the Buffalo Harbor State Park perhaps 20 times a year.

All of these fees are free with a NYS Empire pass. The one-year Empire Pass cost is $72, a three-year pass is $197 (save $19 compared to buying a one-year pass three times), and a five-year pass is $312 (save $48 compared to purchasing a one-year pass five times). Visit https://parks.ny.gov/admission/empire-passport/.

For $750 you will receive an Empire Pass card with no expiration date. Buy it once and enjoy the parks for your lifetime. In any form, the Empire Pass provides savings and low-cost access to state parks, boat launch sites, forest preserves, arboretums and park preserves.

For elderly New York state residents, there is the NYS Golden Park Program. If you are a NYS resident 62 or older, on Monday through Friday (except holidays), you can obtain free vehicle access to most state parks, boat launch sites and arboretums, with fee reduction to state historic sites and state-operated golf courses. Present your current valid NYS driver’s license or NYS non-driver identification card at the park entrance. No application is required as either of these documents serve as your pass. For locations with pay stations, get in touch with the facility directly for info.

The NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 state parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, encompassing nearly 350,000 acres, that are visited by 74 million people annually. Finding freedom for less cost is a real opportunity for a new adventure with your family and friends.

More and even greater cost savings if you have fun-loving, fish-crazy kids in your house. You can save them a ton of money. A NYS resident fishing license cost is $25 per year right now (it will be rising sometime soon). A lifetime hunting and fishing license in NYS for kids under 5 years old is $380 today. When that child turns 16, they will need to purchase a NYS fishing license until they reach 69 years of age. That means they’ll need to spend $25 for their next 54 years, or 54 times $25, which equals $1,385. They will also need to purchase a hunting license in NYS after they reach 12 years of age. Right now, that cost is $22 per year. So again, 57 times $22, which equals $1,254. Add these up, $1,385 plus $1,254 equals $2,639. If you buy them a NYS lifetime hunting and fishing license when they are under 5 years of age, you save them $2,639 minus $380, which equals $2,259 in cash savings. That’s quite a cash bonus for mom, dad and especially the kids. If you wait until the kids are from 5 to 11 years old, the lifetime license is still a bargain at $535. Then, from age 12 to 69 years of age, the fee is $765. Though any age group, you save a bundle when you purchase the NYS lifetime hunting and fishing license, but the greatest savings are at the youngest ages.

That’s not all. There are more additional savings with the lifetime hunting and fishing license purchase, as the license privilege includes a turkey hunting permit for spring and fall, and free Deer Management Unit doe licenses; the annual yearly cost would be an additional $10 for each of those extra privileges each year. So add on other savings of 57 years (hunting license rules require license from 12 years old) times $20 equals $1,040 for each age group. That is more than $3,000 if you purchase the lifetime license when the kids are under 5 years of age. Wow. It makes a great Christmas gift for a grandparent to consider for their brand-new grandkids. Will the kids stay in NYS after they grow up? You might hope so, but it doesn’t matter. The lifetime license purchase is good for life no matter where their residence is after purchasing the lifetime license as an NYS resident.

By the way, at 70 years of age and older, the lifetime hunting and fishing license in NYS is just $65. The purchase of a lifetime license goes forever into the NYS Fish and Game Trust Fund. The interest from this fund goes into the NYS Conservation Fund which is overseen by the Conservation Fund Advisory Board, and is dedicated to the support and promotion of fishing, hunting and trapping. Of course, you may plan to add on additional lifetime license privileges such as bow hunting ($235) and muzzleloader hunting ($235). In that case, these are other purchases to consider, but all of these offer substantial savings over the course of a lifetime if you do the calculations. The fees noted here for these extra privileges apply to all age groups. It’s a deal. Remember, this is NYS, deals are hard to find most of the time, but this is one of them.

Lastly, here is a special reminder message from Jeff Carpenter at Bear Lake Rod and Gun Club: “Pheasant season opened on Oct. 21. Read the regulations guide before going afield and be sure of your target and beyond when hunting. The guide identifies boundary restrictions and other important information and is available on the DEC website (www.dec.ny.gov). “Rooster only” and “Rooster and Hen” boundary descriptions are noted on page 47 of the guide. Hunters are reminded to ask permission from private landowners before hunting on their lands. Many pheasant release sites are available for hunting thanks to the cooperation of private landowners. Good landowner/hunter relations are critical to ensuring these areas remain open to hunting in future years. A special permit is required for hunting small game during the opening day of pheasant season at the Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area in the town of Collins (Erie County). Good luck.”

CALENDAR

Oct. 1-Nov. 17: NYS Southern Zone Big Game Early Archery Season.

Oct. 21-Feb. 29: NYS fall wild turkey season open in Southern Zone, see DEC map.

Oct. 21-Nov. 3: NYS Pheasant Season open in the lower Southern Zone, see DEC map.

Nov. 4-17: NYS Southern Zone Big Game Crossbow Season.

Nov. 18-Dec. 10: NYS Southern Zone Big Game Regular Hunting Season (firearms).

Note: Submit calendar items to forrestfisher35@yahoo.com.